Preds need more than just goaltending

The good news for the Predators after three games is that they appear to have one of the best goaltending tandems in the league. The bad news is the goalkeeping is far-and-away the biggest reason the Predators are 2-1 after three games.

To put it bluntly, the Predators are surrendering far too many opportunities on one end of the ice and not creating nearly enough on the other.

Consider that in two of Nashville’s three games, the Predators have surrendered at least 40 shots against. As defenseman Dan Hamhuis said following Saturday’s loss, the Preds have been spending so much time in their own end that they’re exhausted once the puck finally gets out and therefore have a hard time establishing a forecheck.

The second line continued its string of goose eggs in Saturday’s loss, as Mike Santorelli, David Legwand and Martin Erat were shut out once again. I actually thought the trio was better tonight than they were in the first two games, but if they go a few more games without producing, the line will have to be broken up.

Maybe Dumont’s return to the lineup will allow Barry Trotz to move Hornqvist next to Legwand and Erat, even though I’m not sure Santorelli has been playing particularly poorly there. Maybe Ward will soon be ready for another opportunity on the second line.

But players below the second line have to pitch in from time to time as well.

Marcel Goc, for instance, has been very good in the face-off circle and has displayed a solid all-round game. But the Preds need some offensive contributions from players like him and Ryan Jones – whose greatest strength is crashing the net.

And Shea Weber has to be more of an offensive threat than he was Saturday, when he missed the net on four of his seven shots.